Man admits sexual offenses against boys at summer program
A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
