🔗 Share this article

A man who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.

The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.

The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.

The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.

'Treat game'

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.

She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.

The man played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".

She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.

She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.

The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.

"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."

The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She stated the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.

The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.

Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.

She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.