A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
