A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
