A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She stated the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
