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A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.

Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.

The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.

Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

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

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.

She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.

The man played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".

She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.

She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.

The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.

"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."

Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.

She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.

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

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.

The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.

She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.