An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
