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A person who spiked treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.

The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.

The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.

The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.

Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.

She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.

"They decided to examine in the individual's items."

The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.

She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.

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

The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.

Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.

She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.