An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
