Individual confesses to sexual offenses against boys at youth camp
A person who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
