A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
