A person who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
