Person confesses to sex offences involving children at youth camp
A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
