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A person who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.

The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.

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

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

Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.

'Candy game'

The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.

She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.

Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".

She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.

She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.

The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.

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

The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his worries.

She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.

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

The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.

The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.

She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.