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A person who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.

The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.

The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.

'Treat game'

Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.

She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.

Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, 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 man had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.

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

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.

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

The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his worries.

She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.

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

The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.

The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.

She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.