A person who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
