A person who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
