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A man who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.

The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.

The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

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

'Sweet game'

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.

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

The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".

She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.

The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.

"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."

Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his worries.

She explained the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.

The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.

She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.