Person pleads guilty to sexual offenses targeting young males at summer camp
A man who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
