A man who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
