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A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.

The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.

The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.

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

'Candy game'

The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.

She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.

Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".

She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.

She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.

The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.

"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."

Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.

She said the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.

"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.

Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.

She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.