A man who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys aged between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined Ruben's offending to the court.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She said the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
