A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
