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A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.

Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.

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.

Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.

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

'Treat game'

Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.

She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.

The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".

She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.

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

The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.

"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."

The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.

She stated the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.

"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.

The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.

The legal representative said the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.

She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.