Individual admits sexual crimes targeting boys at summer program
An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five minors.