A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
