A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
