An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
