An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the police once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
