A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
