An individual who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
