A person who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
