Individual confesses to sexual crimes against children at summer camp
A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
