Person confesses to sex offences against young males at youth camp
A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
