A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
