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A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.

Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.

The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.

She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.

The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".

She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.

She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.

"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."

The prosecutor said materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.

She said the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.

"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.

The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.

Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.

She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.