An individual who laced treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, 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 informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement again.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
