A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, 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 "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
