A man who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.
