A person who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
