A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
