🔗 Share this article Man pleads guilty to sexual offenses targeting boys at summer program The accused admitted 17 criminal counts at Leicester Crown Court on Friday A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old. The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer. The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week. However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child. The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th. 'Treat game' Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body. She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran. Ruben played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly". She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning. She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025. The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably. "They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions." The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries. She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day. "Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further. The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation. The legal representative explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more. She said Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.