A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the authorities again.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
