An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "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 youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
