A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
