A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
