A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
