Individual pleads guilty to sexual crimes targeting children at summer program
A person who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
