A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
