A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
