Individual admits sex offences targeting young males at youth camp
An individual who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said the man 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 added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
