🔗 Share this article Man admits sexual crimes involving boys at summer camp The defendant confessed to 17 criminal counts at Leicester Crown Court on recently An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10. The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July. The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently. Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy. The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November. 'Treat game' The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court. She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed. The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible". She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning. She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025. The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason. "They decided to investigate in the man's possessions." The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries. She said Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day. "Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further. The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events. The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more. She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.