A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the police again.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
