Person pleads guilty to sexual crimes targeting young males at summer program
A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined 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 managed.
The man played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
