π Share this article Individual confesses to sexual crimes targeting young males at summer program The accused admitted 17 offences at the judicial center on Friday A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old. The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month. The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse 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. The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on 28 November. 'Treat game' The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings. She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated. Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible". She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day. She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025. The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, justifiably. "They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings." The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns. She said the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day. "Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued. The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events. The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time. She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.