A person who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
