A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities once more.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
