A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
