An individual who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
