A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities again.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
