An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
