A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
