A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.