A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man went on to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
