A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
