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A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.

Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.

The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.

'Sweet game'

The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.

She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.

The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".

She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.

"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."

The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his suspicions.

She said the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.

"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.

The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.

The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.

She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.