A man who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
