A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She said the man went on to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
