A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
