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An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.

The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.

'Candy game'

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

She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.

Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".

She told the court the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.

She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.

The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.

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

The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.

She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.

"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.

The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.

Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.

She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.