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An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.

The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.

Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.

The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.

'Candy game'

The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.

She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.

The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".

She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.

She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.

"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."

The legal counsel said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.

She said the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.

The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.

Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the police once more.

She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.