A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
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 worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
