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An individual who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.

The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.

Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.

'Candy game'

The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.

She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.

Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".

She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.

She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.

The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.

"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."

The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She said the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the events.

The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.

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