An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
