Man admits sexual crimes targeting boys at summer camp
An individual who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
