A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
