An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
