A man who laced treats with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
