A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then played the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
