An individual who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
