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A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.

The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in July.

The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.

Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.

'Candy game'

The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.

She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.

The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".

She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.

She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.

The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.

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

Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.

She said the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.

"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.

The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.

The legal representative explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.

She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.