A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
