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A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.

Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.

The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences 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.

Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Sweet game'

The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.

She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.

Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".

She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.

She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.

The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.

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

Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.

The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.

The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.

She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.