A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
