Individual confesses to sexual offenses against children at summer program
A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.