A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
