A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police again.
She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
