An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
