Person confesses to sexual crimes against children at youth camp
A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.