A man who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
