🔗 Share this article Man admits sex offences targeting boys at summer camp The defendant admitted 17 charges at the courthouse on the end of the week A person who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten. The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in mid-summer. The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently. Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy. The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November. 'Candy game' The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court. She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran. The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can". She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day. She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025. The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably. "They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings." Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his concerns. She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning. "The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further. The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident. Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police a second time. She explained Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.