A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the police again.
She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
