Man admits sexual offenses against boys at summer program

A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.

The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.

However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.

The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.

'Sweet game'

The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.

She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.

Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".

She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.

She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.

The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.

"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."

The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.

She said the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

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

The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.

The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.

She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.