A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
