A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
