A man who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
