A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
