A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
