An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention before a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "sweet game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor stated items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild alerted the authorities about his worries.
She said the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson notified the police once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
