A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She explained the man continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
