A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
