A man who spiked treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
