Person admits sexual crimes targeting young males at summer program

A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.

The accused was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.

Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.

Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated.

The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".

She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.

She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in recently.

The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.

"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."

The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.

She said the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.

The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.

The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.

She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.