An individual who laced treats with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
