A person who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the police once more.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
