An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person became sick at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepchild alerted the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
