Man admits sex offences targeting boys at youth camp
A man who laced treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
