A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
