A man who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
