A person who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
