An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
