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A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.

The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.

'Sweet game'

The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.

She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.

The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".

She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.

She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.

Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.

"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."

Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his worries.

She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.

The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.

She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.