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A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.

The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.

The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed 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 accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.

'Treat game'

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

She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.

The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".

She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.

She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in recently.

The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.

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

Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.

She said the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.

"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.

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

The prosecutor said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.

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