🔗 Share this article

A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.

The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.

The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.

Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

The defendant was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.

'Sweet game'

Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.

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

The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".

She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.

She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.

The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.

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

The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She explained the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.

"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she added.

The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.

The legal representative explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.

She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five children.