A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
