An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
