An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
