Individual admits sex offences targeting boys at youth camp

A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.

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

The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.

'Treat game'

The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.

She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.

The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.

She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.

The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.

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

Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.

She said the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.

"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.

Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.

She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.