Man pleads guilty to sex offences involving children at summer camp

An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.

The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.

Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.

'Candy game'

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

She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.

The man played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".

She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.

The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.

"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."

Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.

She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.

"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.

Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.

She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.