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A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.

The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.

The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.

She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.

The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.

She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.

The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.

"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."

The legal counsel said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.

She said the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.

"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.

The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.

Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.

She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.