A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
