An individual who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben went on to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She said the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
