A man who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
