A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
