A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
