A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
