A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
