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An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.

The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.

The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Sweet game'

The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.

She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.

The man played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".

She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.

She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.

The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.

"They decided to examine in the individual's items."

The legal counsel said objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.

She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.

The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.

The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.

She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.