A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
