Person confesses to sexual crimes targeting young males at youth camp
An individual who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
