A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
