🔗 Share this article Person pleads guilty to sex offences targeting children at summer program The accused pleaded guilty to 17 charges at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10. The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer. The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week. Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child. Ruben was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November. 'Treat game' The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court. She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed. The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible". She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning. She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025. The prosecutor stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably. "They decided to investigate in the man's possessions." The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions. She said the defendant went on to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day. "Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she continued. The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation. The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time. She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.