An individual who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
