Man admits sex offences involving children at summer program
A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the police a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
