Person pleads guilty to sexual offenses targeting boys at summer program
An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.