A man who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
