An individual who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
