A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms 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 "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
