A person who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She said Ruben went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
