A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
