An individual who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", 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 "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
