A man who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
