An individual who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
