Person confesses to sexual crimes involving young males at summer camp
A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
