A person who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
