Person admits sexual offenses targeting young males at summer camp
A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.