A person who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.