Individual confesses to sexual crimes targeting children at youth camp
An individual who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
