A man who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
