A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
