An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
