A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
