Individual pleads guilty to sex offences targeting boys at summer program
An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police again.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
