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A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.

The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.

The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.

However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.

She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.

The man conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".

She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.

She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.

The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.

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

The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.

She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.

Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.

She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.