An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
