An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
