A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
