An individual who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth 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 request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
