A person who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
