A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter 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 boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
