A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
