A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
