A man who laced treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
