An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
