A man who laced treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
