An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to play 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 continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the police once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
