A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the police again.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
