A man who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described 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 operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
