A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She explained Ruben then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
