🔗 Share this article Individual admits sexual offenses against young males at youth camp The accused pleaded guilty to 17 criminal counts at the courthouse on recently A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10. The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer. The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week. Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy. The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November. 'Treat game' The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the court. She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran. Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can". She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day. She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025. Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause. "They decided to examine in the man's possessions." The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns. She explained the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day. "The police had not gone out by that time," she stated further. The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident. The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time. She stated Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.