A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
