A man who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
