🔗 Share this article

A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.

The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.

The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.

However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Candy game'

The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.

She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.

The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".

She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.

She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.

"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."

The legal counsel said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She said the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.

"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.

The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.

Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.

She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.