A person who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
