An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police again.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
