An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
