A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
