A person who laced sweets with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member called the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
