An individual who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
