A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "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 said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five children.
