A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
