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A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.

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

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.

The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on November 28th.

'Sweet game'

The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.

She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.

Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".

She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.

She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.

"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."

The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.

She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.

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

The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.

The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities again.

She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.