An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
