A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two young males both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult 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 recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepchild had worries about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
