Man admits sexual crimes involving boys at summer camp
A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
