An individual who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
