A person who laced candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
