A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
