An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.
The legal representative added: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
