An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the location in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
