Man confesses to sexual offenses targeting young males at summer program
A person who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
