A man who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
