🔗 Share this article Individual confesses to sexual offenses targeting children at summer camp The accused admitted 17 charges at the courthouse on Friday An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two children both between nine and ten. The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer. The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently. Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy. Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th. 'Sweet game' The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court. She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed. Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible". She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day. She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025. The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause. "They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions." The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries. She said Ruben continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day. "The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further. The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation. Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities again. She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.