An individual who spiked candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben proceeded to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member notified the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
