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An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were between nine and ten.

The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.

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

Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.

The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on 28 November.

'Treat game'

The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.

She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.

Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".

She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.

She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in recently.

The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.

"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."

The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.

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

"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.

Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.

She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.