Individual admits sexual crimes targeting children at summer camp
A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
