🔗 Share this article Man admits sex offences against young males at summer program The defendant pleaded guilty to 17 criminal counts at the judicial center on recently A man who laced sweets with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10. Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July. The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week. However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy. The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on late November. 'Sweet game' The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings. She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated. The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible". She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day. She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently. The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause. "They decided to investigate in the man's possessions." The legal counsel said items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions. She said the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning. "The police had not gone out by that point," she added. The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident. Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police again. She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.