A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
