Person pleads guilty to sex offences involving young males at summer program

A person who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.

The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.

The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.

'Treat game'

Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.

She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.

The man conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".

She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.

She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.

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

"They decided to examine in the individual's items."

Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.

She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.

"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.

The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.

Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities a second time.

She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.