A person who laced sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
