Individual pleads guilty to sexual crimes targeting children at summer program
A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
