A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
