A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
