A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police once more.
She said Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
