An individual who laced treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
