A person who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
