A person who laced candy with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
