A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
