An individual who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
