A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
