A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.
She said the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
