A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
