A man who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
