Individual pleads guilty to sexual offenses involving boys at summer program
A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
