A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
