An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
