A person who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
