An individual who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
