An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She said Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
