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An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and ten years old.

The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.

The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.

However, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.

The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on late November.

'Treat game'

The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.

She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.

The man played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".

She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.

She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in recently.

The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.

"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."

The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his concerns.

She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.

"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she added.

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

The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the police again.

She said the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.