A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
