A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors 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 arrested after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
