An individual who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
