A man who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
