A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
