Person confesses to sexual crimes involving children at youth camp

An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.

The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.

The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.

Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.

Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.

'Sweet game'

The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.

She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.

Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.

She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.

"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."

The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.

She explained the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.

"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.

The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.

The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.

She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.