An individual who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
