An individual who laced treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
