A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
