Man confesses to sexual crimes against boys at summer program
A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.