A man who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
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 denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
