A person who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the authorities a second time.
She explained the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
