A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
