A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
