An individual who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
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 settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
