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A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.

The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

The accused was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Sweet game'

The legal representative, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.

She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he ran.

The man conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".

She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the next day.

She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.

The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.

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

The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.

She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.

"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.

The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.

Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.

She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.