An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared 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 boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the authorities once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
