An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
