A man who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
