A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "for many years", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
