A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.