🔗 Share this article Man confesses to sexual crimes against young males at summer camp The accused confessed to 17 charges at the courthouse on Friday An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old. The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in July. The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on Friday. However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy. The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on November 28th. 'Candy game' The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court. She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated. Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly". She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day. She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025. Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably. "They decided to investigate in the man's possessions." The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions. She said the defendant proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day. "Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further. The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation. The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police once more. She explained the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.