Person confesses to sex offences targeting boys at summer program
A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She said the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
