An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police again.
She explained the man then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
