A man who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the police once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
