A man who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
