Individual pleads guilty to sex offences against young males at summer camp

A man who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.

The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.

The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.

Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.

The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.

'Treat game'

Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.

Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".

She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She explained Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.

The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.

"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."

The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member notified the police about his concerns.

She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.

"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.

The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.

The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.

She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.