A man who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
