A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied 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 further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
