Man admits sexual crimes against young males at summer program
A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
