A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
