A person who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
