A person who laced candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
