A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
