A man who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
