Individual confesses to sex offences against young males at summer program
A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
