An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the police once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.