An individual who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities again.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
