An individual who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
