A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
