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A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.

The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.

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

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.

The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.

She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.

The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.

"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."

The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.

She said Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - 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, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.

Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.

She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.