A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his worries.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
