🔗 Share this article Man pleads guilty to sexual offenses targeting young males at youth camp The accused pleaded guilty to 17 offences at the courthouse on Friday A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old. The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer. The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently. Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy. The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November. 'Sweet game' The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body. She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran. The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly". She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning. She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025. Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably. "They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions." Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his worries. She said the man went on to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day. "Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added. The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident. Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement once more. She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.