An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the police once more.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
