Person pleads guilty to sexual crimes targeting boys at summer camp

A man who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.

The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.

The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.

Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.

'Treat game'

Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.

She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.

The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".

She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.

She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.

The legal representative added: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.

"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."

Mrs Prior KC stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.

She explained the man proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.

The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.

The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.

She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.