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A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten.

Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in the summer month.

The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.

'Sweet game'

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.

She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.

The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.

She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.

The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.

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

The prosecutor said items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.

She explained the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.

The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.

The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.

She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.