An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
