A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the police once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
