An individual who spiked treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children 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 "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
