A man who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the police once more.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
