A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
