A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
