An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access 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 played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the police once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
