Individual confesses to sex offences against young males at summer program
A person who laced candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
