Individual admits sexual crimes involving children at summer program
An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
