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A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.

Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.

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

Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.

'Sweet game'

The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.

She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran.

The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".

She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.

She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in recently.

Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.

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

Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.

She said the man continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.

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

The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.

She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.