A man who laced candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
