An individual who spiked sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted 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 ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
