An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
