An individual who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
