Man confesses to sexual crimes against young males at summer camp
A person who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
