A person who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the police again.
She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
