A man who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat 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 man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
