Individual confesses to sex offences involving children at summer program
A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She said the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.