Man pleads guilty to sexual offenses targeting young males at summer program

A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged nine and 10.

The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in the summer month.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.

Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.

The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.

'Candy game'

The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.

She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.

Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".

She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.

She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in recently.

Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.

"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."

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

She stated the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.

"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.

The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.

The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.

She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.