Man confesses to sexual offenses targeting young males at summer camp
A man who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
