A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
