A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
