Person admits sexual crimes involving boys at summer camp

An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.

The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.

The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.

However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.

The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.

'Candy game'

The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.

She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.

The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".

She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.

She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in recently.

Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.

"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."

The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.

She explained Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.

The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.

Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police a second time.

She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.