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A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.

'Sweet game'

The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.

The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "rapidly".

She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.

She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.

The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.

"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."

Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.

She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.

"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.

Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.

She said Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.