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An individual who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.

Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in July.

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

However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.

'Treat game'

Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.

She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.

Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".

She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.

She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in recently.

The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.

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

The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.

She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.

"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.

The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.

The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police a second time.

She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.