A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
