Man pleads guilty to sexual crimes targeting boys at summer program
A person who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.