A man who laced treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the police once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
