A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man went on to play the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
