An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
