Individual confesses to sex offences targeting young males at youth camp
An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the police again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
