An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
