A person who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the police once more.
She said the man then played the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.