A person who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
