A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
