A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
