A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
