A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
