A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
