Person admits sex offences involving boys at summer program

A man who spiked sweets with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.

The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the facility in July.

The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.

Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.

Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.

'Sweet game'

The legal representative, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.

She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.

The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".

She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.

She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.

"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."

The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.

She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.

"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.

The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.

The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities a second time.

She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.