An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
