A man who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
