Man pleads guilty to sex offences against children at summer program
A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
