🔗 Share this article Man pleads guilty to sexual offenses targeting young males at summer camp The accused confessed to 17 offences at Leicester Crown Court on recently A man who laced candy with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old. The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month. The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week. However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy. Ruben was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th. 'Sweet game' The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body. She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he operated. The man conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can". She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day. She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025. The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably. "They decided to examine in the individual's items." The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns. She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning. "Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she stated further. The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events. The legal representative explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the police once more. She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.