A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
