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An individual who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.

The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.

The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Sweet game'

The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.

She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.

The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.

She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.

The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, with valid cause.

"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."

Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his worries.

She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.

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

The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.

The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.

She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.