An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
