An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.
The legal representative added: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
