A man who spiked treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
