An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
