A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior 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 informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police once more.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
