A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
