A man who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
