Person pleads guilty to sexual crimes against children at youth camp

An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.

The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in July.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.

The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on November 28th.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.

She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.

Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".

She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.

She stated the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.

"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."

Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.

"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.

The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.

The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.

She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.