A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
