An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
