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A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and 10.

The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.

The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.

The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.

'Candy game'

The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.

She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.

The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".

She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.

She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.

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

The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.

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

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

The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.

The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the police a second time.

She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.