A man who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the man went on to play the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
