A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
