A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the police once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
