A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
