A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
