An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
