A man who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the police again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
