A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
