A person who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She said the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
