A man who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
