Person pleads guilty to sexual offenses targeting young males at summer camp

A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both nine and 10.

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

The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.

Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.

The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.

'Sweet game'

The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.

She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.

Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".

She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.

She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.

"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."

The prosecutor said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.

She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.

"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.

The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.

The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.

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