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A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.

The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.

The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.

However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.

Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.

'Treat game'

Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.

She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.

Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".

She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.

She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.

The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.

"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."

Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.

She stated the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.

"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.

The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the police a second time.

She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.