A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
