A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
