Individual pleads guilty to sexual offenses against young males at summer camp
A person who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
