Man pleads guilty to sexual offenses targeting boys at summer program
A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.