An individual who spiked candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.
The legal representative added: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
