Individual admits sex offences against children at summer program
An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
