A man who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
