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A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.

The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in the summer month.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.

Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.

The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.

She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.

The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".

She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.

She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.

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

Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.

She said the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.

The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.

The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.

She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.