Man pleads guilty to sex offences involving children at youth camp
A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
