A person who laced treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
