An individual who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, described the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
