An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
