A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
