A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.