An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
