Individual pleads guilty to sexual crimes targeting children at youth camp
A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
