A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts 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 concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
