An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out 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 prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police again.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
