Man confesses to sexual offenses against boys at summer program
An individual who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
