A person who laced candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", 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 "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
