Man pleads guilty to sexual crimes targeting young males at summer program
A person who laced candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the police once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
