A man who laced candy with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
