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A man who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.

Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.

However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.

'Candy game'

The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.

The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".

She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.

She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.

The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.

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

The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.

She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.

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

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

The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.

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