An individual who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
