🔗 Share this article Man pleads guilty to sexual crimes involving young males at summer camp The defendant admitted 17 charges at Leicester Crown Court on Friday A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten. The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month. The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week. Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy. The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November. 'Sweet game' The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings. She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated. The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can". She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day. She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in recently. Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason. "They decided to investigate in the individual's items." Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns. She explained the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning. "Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued. The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events. The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again. She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.