A person who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
