A man who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
