An individual who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the man went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
