A man who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
