An individual who spiked treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
