A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
