A person who laced candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
