A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
