An individual who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
