🔗 Share this article Individual confesses to sex offences involving young males at youth camp The defendant admitted 17 charges at Leicester Crown Court on recently A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten. The accused was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in July. The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently. Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child. The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November. 'Treat game' Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body. She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he ran. The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly". She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day. She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025. Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason. "They decided to have a look in the individual's items." The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries. She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning. "Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added. The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation. Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police once more. She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.