A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
