A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
