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A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.

The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.

'Treat game'

Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.

She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.

Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".

She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.

She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.

The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.

"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."

The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.

She stated the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.

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

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.

The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities again.

She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.