A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
