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A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both between nine and ten.

The accused was detained after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.

The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.

Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.

The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.

'Sweet game'

The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.

She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he ran.

The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".

She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.

She said the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.

The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.

"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."

The legal counsel said items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.

She stated the man continued to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.

The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.

The legal representative stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.

She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.