A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in recently.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police once more.
She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
