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An individual who laced treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.

The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.

The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.

Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.

The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.

'Treat game'

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

She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.

The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".

She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in recently.

The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.

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

The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.

She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.

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

The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.

The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.

She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.