A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the police once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
