Man admits sexual crimes involving young males at summer program
A man who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
