A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
