A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
