Individual pleads guilty to sex offences targeting boys at summer camp
A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
