An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out 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 events.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
