A man who laced candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
