An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
