A man who laced treats with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his stepchild alerted the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police a second time.
She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
