A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and one adult fell ill at the facility in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt 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 charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained Ruben proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the police again.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
