An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
