Man who gave children drug-laced sweets to sexually abuse them at summer camp admits to offences

Ruben, of Wayte Court, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, admitted sexual assault of a child under 13, assault of a child under 13 by penetration, eight counts of child cruelty, three counts of making indecent images of children and four drugs charges.

But he denied a charge of assault by penetration which prosecutors have been given two weeks to consider if they will proceed with.

Invited by Judge Timothy Spencer KC to describe Ruben’s offending to the court, prosecutor Mary Prior KC said the charges related to a summer camp held at rented premises near a village in Leicestershire last summer.

The prosecutor told the court: "The defendant, for 27 years, has run a holiday camp for underprivileged, socially deprived children.

"He has been the leader of that using, his job as a teacher and role as a senior member of the church to run youth clubs, evening classes and Sunday schools from where he selected which children [would attend the summer camp]."

The rented premises, Stathern Lodge, were not connected to the camp itself, the court heard, and Ruben was in charge of youngsters there, Ms Prior said.

"He made the rules," she added. "For many years he has played what he calls a sweet game with the children in which he goes into the bedrooms.

"The game is that each has to eat really sticky sweets as quickly as they can but they must chew them.

"Children have always felt ill the next day but he explained it as they were overwrought."

Ruben was remanded in custody until a further hearing at the same court on November 28 when he will be required to attend by prison video-link.

Mary Prior KC told the court: " There's a long history of children feeling sick at the camp at Stathern Lodge where they rented accommodation."

She said the drug used was commonly known as "liquid Xanax" and was possibly made using drugs obtained illegally by Ruben, adding: "The consequences could have been damage to the heart and death."

Child abuse videos and pictures were also found by police in a search of Ruben's electronic devices, including boys as young as six being abused, reports LeicestershireLive.

She said Ruben would often be responsible for putting two rooms of boys to sleep at night. After they had their pyjamas on he would go into the rooms with sweets that he had injected with tranquilizers.

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector at Leicestershire Police Neil Holden said: "This has been a horrific, complex and emotional investigation involving multiple young, innocent, vulnerable victims and a man who committed the vilest crimes.

"Our focus today must of course remain on the young victims and with the support of partners and dedicated Family Liaison Officers, we have and continue to support their welfare and to ensure their safeguarding going forward.

"I know the investigation at the time and these guilty pleas today has and will understandably cause concern within communities.

"Please know that we are here for you and to speak with you. You can contact police through the Public Portal, reporting online, by calling 101 or by speaking directly with an officer. Thank you."