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A man who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.

The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.

Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

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

'Sweet game'

The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.

She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.

Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".

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

She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.

The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.

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

Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.

She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.

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

The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.

Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.

She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.