A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
