Man pleads guilty to sexual crimes against young males at summer program

An individual who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.

The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.

The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.

The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.

'Sweet game'

The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.

She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.

Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".

She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.

The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.

"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."

The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.

She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.

"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.

The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.

Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.

She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.