An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police again.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
