Person admits sex offences involving young males at youth camp
An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next 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 law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.