A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
