A person who laced treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five children.
