A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the police once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
