A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
