A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the man went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
