An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
