A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
