An individual who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
