A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police once more.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
