A man who laced treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
