A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
