An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
