A person who laced treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
