An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
