An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat 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 "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
