Individual confesses to sexual offenses involving boys at summer program
A man who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
