Individual confesses to sexual offenses targeting boys at summer program
A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
