An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
