A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
