A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
