A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
