A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
