An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
