🔗 Share this article Person admits sexual offenses against boys at youth camp The accused admitted 17 criminal counts at the judicial center on recently A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10. The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer. The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday. Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy. Ruben was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November. 'Sweet game' Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings. She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated. The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can". She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day. She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025. Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably. "They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items." Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his worries. She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day. "Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued. The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the events. Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities once more. She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.