A man who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
