A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
