A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities again.
She stated Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
