A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
