A man who laced candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
