A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
