A man who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
