Man pleads guilty to sex offences involving boys at youth camp

A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.

The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the location in July.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.

However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.

The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.

'Candy game'

The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.

The man played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".

She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.

She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.

"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."

Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his worries.

She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.

The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.

The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.

She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five children.