A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
