A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill 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 judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
