An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
