A person who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
