Man pleads guilty to sexual crimes targeting young males at summer program
A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
