A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet 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 eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
