A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
