An individual who laced candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the police once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
