A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences 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 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
