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A man who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.

The defendant was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.

The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.

The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.

'Sweet game'

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.

She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.

The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".

She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.

She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.

"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."

The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.

She said the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.

"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.

The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.

She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.