A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
