A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
