A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police once more.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
