A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the police once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
