Individual admits sexual crimes involving children at summer camp
A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.