An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.