A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
