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A person who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.

The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.

The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.

'Sweet game'

The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.

She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.

The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".

She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.

She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in recently.

The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.

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

Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.

She stated the man went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.

"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.

The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.

The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.

She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.