An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility 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.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
