A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She stated the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
