A person who spiked treats with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two young males who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She said the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a area of five children.
