A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
