A person who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
