Individual admits sexual crimes targeting children at summer program
A man who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
