An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
