A man who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
