A person who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated objects including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five children.
