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An individual who spiked treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.

Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.

The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.

However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.

The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.

'Treat game'

The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the court.

She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.

The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".

She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.

She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.

The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.

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

The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.

She explained the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.

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

The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.

Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police again.

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