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A person who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.

Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.

The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.

However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.

The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.

'Candy game'

The legal representative, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.

She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.

The man played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".

She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.

She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.

"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."

The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.

She stated the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.

"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.

Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.

She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.