A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
