Person confesses to sexual offenses targeting children at summer program
A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
