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A person who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.

Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.

The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.

Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.

The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.

'Candy game'

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

She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.

The man played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.

She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.

The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.

"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."

The prosecutor stated materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.

She explained Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.

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

The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.

Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities again.

She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.