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An individual who laced treats with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.

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

The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.

The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.

She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he managed.

The defendant conducted 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 ask them to consume candy "rapidly".

She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.

She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in recently.

Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.

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

The prosecutor stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.

She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.

"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.

The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.

Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement again.

She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.