A person who laced candy with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
