A person who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
