Man admits sexual offenses targeting young males at summer camp
An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.