A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
