A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
