A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
