A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
