An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
