A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his worries.
She said the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
