An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his family member had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
