Man admits sex offences involving children at youth camp
A person who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
