A man who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She said the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
