A person who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
