An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
