A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the police about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
