An individual who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
