An individual who laced candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the police again.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
