Person confesses to sexual offenses targeting boys at youth camp
A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
