A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
