Man admits sex offences involving young males at summer camp

A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.

The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.

However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.

The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.

She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.

Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".

She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.

She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.

The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.

"They decided to examine in the individual's items."

Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.

She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.

"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.

Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.

She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.