A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
