An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the police again.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
