An individual who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
