A person who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "candy game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
