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An individual who spiked treats with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and ten years old.

The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.

The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on recently.

Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.

The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.

'Candy game'

The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined 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 ran.

The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".

She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.

She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.

"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."

The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.

She said the man went on to play the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.

The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.

The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the police again.

She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.