A man who spiked sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The man played a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities again.
She said Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
