A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, 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 stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his family member had concerns about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the man continued to play the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
