🔗 Share this article

A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.

The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.

The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.

Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.

'Treat game'

Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.

She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.

Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".

She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.

She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.

"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."

The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.

She explained Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.

"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.

The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.

The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the police once more.

She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.