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A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.

The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.

However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.

The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.

She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.

Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".

She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.

She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.

The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.

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

Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.

She said Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.

"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.

The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.

She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.