Person confesses to sex offences targeting boys at youth camp

A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.

The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in July.

The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on recently.

Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.

The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Candy game'

The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.

She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.

The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".

She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.

She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.

The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.

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

The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.

She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.

"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.

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

Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.

She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.