A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
