A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
