A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
