A person who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
