Person confesses to sexual crimes involving young males at summer program

A person who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.

The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.

The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.

Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.

She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.

The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".

She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.

The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.

"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."

The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.

She explained the defendant went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.

The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.

The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement again.

She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.