A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.