A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
