🔗 Share this article Individual confesses to sexual offenses against boys at youth camp The defendant pleaded guilty to 17 criminal counts at the courthouse on recently A person who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten. The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month. The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week. Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy. The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November. 'Treat game' Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings. She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran. Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can". She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning. She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently. Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause. "They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions." The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions. She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day. "Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued. The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events. The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member called the authorities again. She stated the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.