An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
