Person pleads guilty to sex offences involving young males at summer program
A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.