Person pleads guilty to sexual offenses against young males at summer program
A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
