A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
