A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
