A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the police again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
