A man who spiked treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his stepchild alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
