A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the man continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
