A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
