A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.