An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild contacted the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
