A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
