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A man who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.

The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.

The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.

Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.

'Sweet game'

The legal representative, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.

She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.

The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".

She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.

She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.

The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.

"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."

Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She explained the man went on to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.

"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.

The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.

The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.

She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.