Individual confesses to sexual offenses involving young males at youth camp
An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five children.