A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
